Druk Path Trek

At your arrival at Paro International airport, your local tour guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure or you can choose to explore the enchanting Paro valley by visiting some of the important historical and spiritual sites in Paro. We suggest you to visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong, National Museum, the ruined Drukgyel Dzong and finally the historical Kyichu Lhakhang.

After your morning breakfast in the hotel, drive to Ta Dzong (National Museum) that lies above Paro Rinpung Dzong, where you will begin your trek. The trek takes you through following several farmhouses and apple orchard and gradually enters through pristine forest of blue pines and fir forest. From a long stand Chorten the trail begins to climb uphill until you finally reach the ridge below Jela Dzong. A short descent of 100m takes you to your campsite below the dzong.

Today your trail begins with a steep climb until you reach the Jela Dzong. Make a short visit to the dzong and then continue your trail through the ridge offering spectacular view of the valley below. The trail takes you through rich alpine forest of fir, juniper and dwarf rhododendron trees. You may also see herder and their yaks around your campsites. En-route you will encounter several wildflowers including Acanthocalyx nepalesis, Lomatogonium brachyantherum, Aster himalaicus, Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum platycarpum, Taraxacum mitalii, Strobilanthes wallichii, Iris clarkei, Euphorbia griffithii, Primula griffithii, Primula denticulate, Primula smithiana, Oxygraphis endlicher, Saussurea obvallata etc.

Today your trail takes you through the ridge and on a clear day, you will have a spectacular view of the mountain range. From the ridge you will then gradually descent downhill towards your campsite close to Jigme Langtsho Lake, where you will encounter several variety of Blue Poppy including Meconopsis paniculata, Meconopsis grandis, Meconopsis bella and Meconopsis sherriffii. The surrounding slope also offers several other varieties of flowers like Gentiana phyllocalyx, Gentiana veitchiorum, Sussurea sughoo, Lomatogonium brachyantherum and other different rhododendron species including Rhododendron wallichii, Rododendron setoum, Rhododendron aeruginosum, Rhododendron lepidotum etc.

The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.

The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajodhing where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phadjoding Monastery.

After passing Phadjoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu (Mothitang) is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours.

After your early morning breakfast in the hotel, drive to Paro and hike to the famous Taktsang Goemba. It is quite an uphill task and takes around 3-4 hours walk. It is the most spectacular goemba in all of Bhutan. According to the legend, Guru Rinpoche visited the site in 8th century flying from the east of the country on the back of a tigress (a form that one of his consorts is believed to have taken). He meditated for three months in the cave donning his terrifying form of Dorji Droloe subjugating the evil spirit. Following him many permanent religious leader visited the site notably Milerepa, Labdoenma and Thongtong Gyelpo. Today, Taktsang Goemba is more a holy place in the country.

After your leisurely breakfast in the hotel drive to Paro airport and depart to your onward destination. Here you bid goodbye to your helpful Bhutanese tourist guide and driver and proceed to your onward destination.